Hi singstrum

3 units beer 5 units wine 8 units a day of alcohol is a lot. The rehab centres dont have a geat success rate. After 60 years of drinking it will be difficult to stop especially as you love a drink with your evening meal. Cutting down might be a more realistic. Substitute one drink with sparkling water. Cut out the high alcohol wine or just have one glass. Drink 4% beer rather than 5%. If you want to try stopping tell all your friends and relatives and do a sponsored Sober October proceeds to a childrens cancer charity. The NHS has some good tips too. Good luck with your quest.

Ed

Hi singstrum

3 units beer 5 units wine 8 units a day of alcohol is a lot. The rehab centres dont have a geat success rate. After 60 years of drinking it will be difficult to stop especially as you love a drink with your evening meal. Cutting down might be a more realistic. Substitute one drink with sparkling water. Cut out the high alcohol wine or just have one glass. Drink 4% beer rather than 5%. If you want to try stopping tell all your friends and relatives and do a sponsored Sober October proceeds to a childrens cancer charity. The NHS has some good tips too. Good luck with your quest.

Ed

Thanks Ed,

good advice which I will follow as it seems eminently do-able. A second opinion is always welcome, even when one is older!
I appreciate you taking the time to respond as following my post I did wonder if I had done the right thing by sharing my concerns on this site. I will let you know how I get on.

JH

HI JH

Im in a similar position to you with treatments which put liver under stress. Adding alcohol makes the situation worse. So cutting it out altogether or cutting down is a good aim. If you are an alcoholic then total abstinence is the only way forward as none of the cutting down strategies will work. If you are a habitual drinker then cutting down is possible. Try having one or two days a week alchol free, buy in non alcohlic drinks to have with your meal. If you really must have a beer the non alcoholic versions have improved a lot recently. Keep a supply of cheap sparkling mineral water in the house and have a pint of this when you are feeling thirsty rather than a beer. 

Ed

Thanks Ed. I suppose I’ve become a bit gung ho over time ( having escaped death) re drinking, and haven’t always consumed the amount I am doing now. I regard myself as an alcoholic between 6 and 8pm each day, though I am in fact a habitual drinker as I don’t drink at any other time, and will aim to reduce my intake forthwith. Your advice will definitely help and has put my situation into clear focus. 
I do enjoy a drink with the evening meal, and will now continue but under the “less is more” philosophy. I like the idea of sparkling water as an alternative. 

I was tempted to sign off with the word “Cheers”! 
JH